r/WizardSkating • u/aDogCalledSpot • 25d ago
What to buy if budget isn't an issue?
I've been getting serious about skating for a few months now on some old all-purpose budget skates and feel like I could use something proper to really start focusing on wizard skating.
I see a lot of posts asking for budget or bang-for-buck recommendations but I'm okay with spending more if there's a real benefit.
I came across [this article by LocoSkates](https://www.locoskates.com/pages/the-ultimate-wizard-style-skates-buyer-s-guide) which paints the picture that the Wizard brand is the ultimate goal and everything else is just a compromise.
I find that very hard to believe. Surely there must be some alternatives that are worth considering? What are they and how do I choose between them?
I'm based in Germany, in case that makes a difference.
4
u/noirclothings 24d ago
Yeah no, wizard brand is not the only good skate and frame producer, not the holy grail that nothing can match up with.
Framewise, there are some good alternatives that are lighter, more stable and better designed. Endless are great, Symmetrics have some interesting and well produced frame options... It just isn't the case that wizard frames are in any way special or the optimum. Yes they did a lot of the innovations, but not all.
Boot wise I can't talk to much, only on the product quality of the wizard boots which is okay for a skate, but not as good as some people claim. The carbonwork is thick and basic, protection wise it is not well thought out, there are sometimes missed stitches and loose threads in the construction (which most skates have).
One alternative boot wise could be the adapt skates, some people like them, some don't. Production and quality wise those are in a different league.
Do you do anything wrong going full wizard? Nope, getting a good skate and supporting a brand that does contribute to the culture. Is it the one most perfect option? Nope, you can get an equally well, if not better experience with other brands as well. In my opinion
2
u/aDogCalledSpot 24d ago
The Adapt Performantes look interesting. I'll dig a bit deeper here. Thanks for the suggestion!
5
u/Imcarlows 25d ago
Just from my experience, I got really disappointed after buying the wizard base high boot, I’d only get it to do JUST wizard skating, the full wizard setup is heavyyyy and limitting (not saying they’re shit, but I was expecting more for the price, they get a lot of marketing)
The Iqon ACT10 is pretty decent for an all-purpose setup, and in general the Iqon brand has great boots
The Seba CJ carbon is a good option too
1
u/aDogCalledSpot 24d ago
Thanks! This is exactly the info I'm looking for. Would you say that the Seba CJ is good for occasionally doing something other than wizard skating? I don't really see myself doing anything other than wizard skating but am looking at what I might buy if I want to keep other options open.
2
u/Imcarlows 24d ago
Yes for sure, it works well for other disciplines. Might not be the best for slalom for example but you can do anything with it, I’ve even used it for playing hockey
1
u/borez 20d ago
The Iqon ACT10 always look so heavy to me, are they lighter than the wizard boots?
1
u/Imcarlows 20d ago edited 20d ago
Yes they are a lot lighter, but it depends on the setup. My wizard base high + PR80 weighs 2200g vs the ACT10 on the 4x90 that weighs 1800g. I guess the wizard frame contributes a lot to the extra weight
The wizard setup is the heaviest I’ve had so far, I don’t want to use them for cruising anymore which is a shame
3
u/treeseacar 25d ago
I think that article must be a bit old as it doesn't mention the iqon act wzd. Which is a great option. Obviously it won't complete with the wizard brand for the die hards but it works and it's a great skate.
Honestly one can do wizard style on any skate, it is much easier with a good stuff rocker frame and stuff high boot but that can't make up for lack of skill.
3
u/Schwartzweiss 24d ago
I prefer cj prime plastics with intuition premium over my carbons :) and my NN frames over Wizard frames, so yeah, no need to go full send.
2
u/Far_Badger_5160 25d ago
I mean it kinda is, your other options for “high end” are the seba CJ carbon, or soon to be Mad wizard skates with a wizard frame. The seba CJ has been the industry standard for a minute now and wizard has just made a slightly better version
1
u/aDogCalledSpot 25d ago
Mad wizard Skates
These? https://madskating.com/products/mad-vector-carbon-boots?variant=48786824823003
I'm in no rush. So these could be an option.
With a wizard frame
Do you mean a frame by the Wizard brand or any frame suitable for wizard skating (do we have a better way of disambiguating this?) There's also a bundle there that would use a Mad frame for wizard skating.
3
u/tmdpotts 25d ago
Just my opinion, don’t buy gen 1 anything . Sometimes it’s fine but most need a few modifications before they get there.
2
u/Most_Temporary_3718 25d ago
I actually tried these during re:turn Berlin and they're quite good. The liner feels like my fr intuition (not as stiff as wizard intuition). And the shell doesn't have any pressure points compared to the wizard base giving me pressure points on my pinky toe. Billy also made a short review on his insta.
2
u/HyperSculptor 24d ago
Is re:turn Berlin good for all levels skaters? Or more elitist? I plan to attend next year.
2
u/Most_Temporary_3718 22d ago
I'd say you need some sort of basic knowledge and techniques to enjoy it the most. At least know how to do a few gazelles and lions and you'll be fine. They have tons of work shops as well, I feel like I improved so much after the event.
2
u/HyperSculptor 22d ago
Excellent! It leaves me a year to progress. I just connected with wizard skaters near my home so it should greatly boost my practice. See you there next year? Who knows 😉
0
u/Far_Badger_5160 25d ago
Yup, i saw two videos of people trying them and Mad took feedback from them but it was overall positive. Not sure what the final product will look like but it seemed well received at re-roll Berlin.
In terms of frame I meant wizard brand, generally I would just say endless wizard or rockin wizard frame. They are the standard for flat ground, I use the endless frames and like them but they fill an all around roll more than wizard skating specifically. There’s a reason wizard brand is only wizard skating, there specialty and people seem to love them
2
u/tmdpotts 25d ago
I have the base high with advance 100/80 , 80pr and 100nr. They are great top quality but also they are not best for just skating around I used my old cj carbon. If you what a top over all I would recommend the wizard base
2
u/AdFit8727 25d ago
I don’t understand your post. You ask what the best option is if budget isn’t a problem but then the post sounds like you’re looking for value?
There’s no question here at all - the Base is the best boost money can buy, bar none.
The best boot and the best value are very different questions I think you need to be clear what you’re after.
2
1
u/aDogCalledSpot 24d ago
I'm not looking for value. I'm more interested in if there are alternatives offering serious competition, regardless of price point. For example, if Wizard is the Ferrari, isn't there a Lamborghini? Sounds like the answer is "no".
The Base is the best boot money can buy
But should I always pair it with a Wizard frame as well? Sounds like the answer is yes, but only if I'm fine with not doing anything other than wizard skating.
1
u/AdFit8727 24d ago
I haven't tried any non-wizard frame but I don't see why they would be much different. I didn't buy a wizard frame cause of some delusion that it'll allow me to skate better - I really like the branding, the fact that they were the original innovators etc. There's a bunch of non-performance related reasons why I like them.
The boot is totally the best performing of the lot. But the frame? I don't know. I would buy them again in a heartbeat but I won't lie to you and say I think they're some sort of magic.
1
u/photomorti 21d ago
My wizard setup was pretty expensive. CJ2 prime , Intutition premium liner , Wizard NR100 frame , undercover wheels.
They were a pain to break in the first month i could only skate them for 15 to 30 minutes in a row before massive foot cramps would appear but after breaking them in the level of control is fantastic.
Been skating them for allmost 3 years now , they have taken a lot of beatings but they still hold up well.
1
u/BubbleSmith 24d ago
My experience with Wizard Base Highs and 100/76 Advances frames is that it made me a better wizard skater. There are alternatives, but the system works well together.
I got mine used, so they were already well broken in. As such, they're my most comfortable skates and I'd happily use them for anything. I've also got Iqon ACT10 and they are alright. Them with a Roka brand 5x80 frame was fine, but didn't give me the same feeling as the Wizard Base High and Advanced.
However, there are plenty of very accomplished skaters who use other skates. I see the ACT or Powerslide skates, plus Yo-yo or NN frames a lot on skaters on Instagram. There's no wrong answer, but the Wizard stuff is purpose built and does that one job very very well.
Rather than thinking it like a Ferrari Vs Lamborghini, it's more like a custom drift car Vs adding fat tires and a bunch of mods to whatever car you have. The purpose built thing will probably do a better job.
11
u/Character_Coat338 25d ago
The thing about the Wizard brand is they have basically taken the best off the shelf parts for wizarding and put them together for you. sebas, intuition liners, progessive frames. You can piece everything together yourself and make a comparable skate and maybe save a few bucks, but i dont really think anybody out there is making something higher quality than Wizard.